Disability Status

According to the 2011-2015 American Community Survey data, approximately 32,000 people in Thurston County — about 12.5% of the total population — had a disability. Of these disabled individuals, 41% were 65 years of age or older, and 16% had incomes that were below the poverty level in the past 12 months.

Disability

The U.S. Census Bureau defines disability as the product of interactions among: individuals’ bodies; their physical, emotional, and mental health; and the physical and social environment in which they live, work, or play. Under this definition, disability exists where the product of these interactions results in the limitation of activities and the restriction to full participation at school, work, home, or in the community.